Hundreds more sophomores statewide are passing the high school exit exam on their first try according to state data, a trend students in San Francisco Unified School District classrooms are following.

According to data released by the California Department of Education on Tuesday, 181 more city sophomores passed their English-language arts test last spring in San Francisco than the year before and 128 more San Francisco students passed their math tests compared to the previous year.

In 2009, 3,339 students passed the English test, while 3,520 students passed in 2010. For math, 3,391 students passed in 2009, compared to 3,519 sophomores passing in 2010.

Statewide, more students also passed the test their first time. According to the data, 3 percent more students passed the test the first time over their 2009 peers.

In 2010, 383,814 students statewide passed math and 385,141 passed the English tests. In 2009, 378,440 passed the math test and 377,693 successfully passed the English portion of the high school exit exam, according to state data.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell said students continue to make steady progress in the exam.

“I am pleased that the latest Exit Exam results show that more of our students are mastering the mathematics and English-language arts skills measured by this exam,” O’Connell said in a released statement. “Passing the Exit Exam is a high school graduation requirement because students need these important basic skills to be successful in college, the workforce, and in life.”